Veterans Wellness with Quantum Harmonix Sound Therapy

I began my journey with Quantum Harmonix in 2012 while studying the art and science of meditation at a university in the midwest. My friends and acquaintances would come over to my home for Sunday sound-baths and it would give us a good excuse to come together and share in meditation, food, creativity and community. My biggest takeaways were that not only do people enjoy this, people need this. I realized that sound-based therapy could be a potential solution for countless people who would benefit from an alternative to treatment with harsh drugs and their often damaging side effects.

Veterans are a group that suffer from the high risk of both depression and drug addiction. Perhaps the feelings of wholeness and satisfaction that I was experiencing through my sound-based meditation experiences could serve to  assist others on their path of feeling more internally secure, grounded, and rested.

It was found in 2016 that the suicide rate for veterans was 1.5 times greater than for civilians. Today, all across the country, nearly 20 veterans a day take their own lives. The effects of war, such as P.T.S.D., affect many active duty soldiers and veterans alike. They take the largest toll on those who come back home to a lonely and often unfamiliar reality. Not only does this increase the risk of drug and alcohol addiction, but often leads to severe depression as well.

How could it be that the soldier suicide could surpass the amount of lives lost on the battlefield? Could therapeutic music and meditation be the answer to helping create a sense of peace, comfort, and harmony from within? I wanted to find the answer, but first I had to better understand the problem. According to a 2012 study; both depression and drug addiction became more widely pronounced in services associated with combat conditions.

“There were increased substance use disorders and major depression across services associated with combat conditions. It would be important to assess whether the public health system has adequate resources to handle the increasing need for mental health services in this population.”

Veterans are some of the most honorable and compassionate individuals that I’ve had the privilege of meeting. Although you might expect some battle hardened, angry, withdrawn person, most of the time they are very warm and friendly. They are unique in the sense that they require a special and deep care to properly combat the  traumatic effects of war including P.T.S.D., brain damage, and more. Re-adjusting to society after serving can be a major challenge. One that leaves countless veterans feeling lost, misunderstood, and forgotten. Thankfully, people like Dan from VETSPACE LA are thinking creatively about how to approach these challenges while providing a safe and therapeutic space for our honorable veterans.  

“The vetspacela retreat is open to all veterans, regardless of discharge status. It is a place for veterans to relax, enjoy great food and tap into the many resources of health and well-being in the Los Angeles area. Each event will introduce veterans to individuals who are dedicated to self-improvement and helping others in various life domains: spiritual, physical and financial. Whether you served in the desert, on the deck, or behind a desk, vetspacela is a community for you.”

Vetspace LA held an open-house event on November 18th and I was honored to have fellow sound healer Helane Anderson reach out to the organizer, Dan Sheldon, about including a Quantum Harmonix SUBPAC sound healing station for the attendees. The event featured an array of wellness, meditation, and therapeutic modalities all under one roof. The reaction from the attendees was nothing short of inspirational. They were excited, open-minded, and very responsive to the effects of the music and SUBPAC powered vibrations. 

Here’s what one attendee had to say about his experience:

“I didn’t even know I was here anymore. I was passing the different planets. With the ocean sounds, I was in a bubble. I could hear the water splashing. It was like I was in a glass rocket, and I was traveling; and then when the music stopped, I said Ah, I’m back on Earth.”

One of the most important aspects of music is its ability to transport us to an entirely different space. Simply having a way to safely check out for a few minutes is extremely beneficial towards developing a balanced mind and body. Music is a tool with a wide range of potential benefits. From relaxing, to releasing and facilitating internal transformation. We are now starting to unravel techniques which allow us to apply these benefits and enhance our practice of self-care and balance.

I left the event feeling like I had more compassion and awareness around the needs of comfort, community, and inner peace for our brave and honorable service people. I look forward to exploring more ways to assist them through collaborations with VETSPACELA and others offering similar experiences.

-Torkom Ji

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